Backyard Structures
Backyard structures can transform an ordinary backyard into a special place for the whole family. A well-made backyard structure can make your backyard an inviting place to take visitors. It might even be what brings the visitors around to see you. Among the most popular backyard constructions are fire pits, chicken structures, and ponds.
What could be cozier than sitting around a fire at night? If you want to have a backyard fire pit, first check to see if your community permits them. In some places bylaws forbid them. Once you have determined that you can legally have a backyard fire pit, you must decide if you want a prefabricated fire pit – of which there are several types – or if you want one built. If you are going to build one, are you going to have a contractor do the job, or do you want to build it yourself? These are the basic steps for backyard fire pit construction.
Dig your pit at least four feet (1.2 m) in diameter, and eighteen inches (46 cm) deep. Lay a two inch (5 cm) bed of gravel and drive a two foot (.6 m) stake into the centre of the pit. Mix some water into some dry mortar and use a trowel to spread a two inch thick circular layer around the edges of the gravel. Smooth the mortar with the trowel, and then use a string and a nail attached to the stake to mark the outer boundary in the mortar for your bricks. Let the mortar dry for 24 hours, then use mortar and bricks to construct the wall of your fire pit. Be sure to trim off excess mortar. Let your fire pit dry over night. Top it with a grill.
Many urban people enjoy keeping chickens in their backyards. For this your will need back yard chicken structures. These can be bought already made, or you can go online for instructions on how to build them yourself. Remember they must be cleaned frequently, and they must protect the chickens from predators like raccoons and foxes. Check to see what your community’s bylaws say about keeping chickens. They might forbid it, or limit the number of chickens you can have. Some communities allow hens, but not roosters, because roosters are too noisy. By keeping chickens you can have fresh eggs; fresh, chemical free chicken, and the birds will keep your backyard free of bugs.
For some people the best backyard structure is a pond. There are books on backyard pond construction, if you are not getting a contractor to do it. There are many types of pond you can install, but no matter which back yard pond construction you choose, remember that a pond requires maintenance so that it does not become green and foul smelling. Some pond types require less maintenance than others.
